A Summer to Remember at the Ching Community Garden

The Ching Community Garden has transformed significantly this summer, marked by the removal of invasive plants and the planting of crops by dedicated volunteers. On July 25, 2025, 32 students from the Lakeside School LEEP program participated in site improvement efforts, which included digging out blackberry roots and preparing the area for new plantings. Under the guidance of horticulturist Derek Fowler, the team has improved the garden's soil quality by removing thick mats of roots and adding compost. The flowering black bamboo, which flowers once every 120 years, will be replaced with new cultivars to restore privacy for neighbors. A capital campaign is set to launch, aiming to raise funds for the garden's ongoing development, with a dinner and auction fundraiser planned for March 21, 2026.

Community involvement is critical, as initial grant funding has nearly run out. The garden aims to become a lasting cultural and ecological treasure for the community. September's activities will focus on establishing permanent paths and preparing for new plantings of disease-resistant orchard trees and fruiting shrubs.